The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-27
CHAPTER III.

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IN WHICH JOHN ENJOYS THE HARVEST HOME.
Shortly after breakfast, at which he assisted
with highly tragical countenanee, John sought
| his father where he sat- presumably In religious
meditation, the Sabbath mornings. The old
gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive
expression, that came to smiling and
different In effect.
This is a time when l do not like to De dis
turbed." he said.
II know that" returned John; 'but I have
1 want-Ive made dreadful mess of it." he
broke out, AID turned to the window.
Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable
time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles
in the back green, and certain yellow cat that
was perched upon the wall. Despair sat upon
John as he eazed; and he ragged to think OF the
dreadful series of his misdeeds, and the essen
tial innocence that lay behind them.
Well said the father. with an obvious effort,
but in very quiet tones what is itl
.'Maclean gave f400 to put in the bank sir"
began John, '.and I'm sorry to say that I've
been robbed of it,"
s.Robbed of itq" cried Mr. Nicholson, with a
strong rising infection. Robbed Be careful
what you say, John2"
Il can't say anything else. sir; / was Sust
robbed of it," said desperation, suddenly.
.'And where and when did this extraordinary
event take placer inquired the father.
son the Cation Hill about II last night"
s'The Cation Hill!' repeated Mr.. Nicholson.
Aud what were you dong there at such time
of the nighta'
Nothing. sir" says John.
Mr.. Nicholson drew in his breath.
''And how came the money in your hands at
II neglected that piece of business" said John,
anticipating comment and then in his own dia-
lect II clean forgot all about it.
'sWelln said his father, Its most extraor-
binary story. Have you comm unicated with
the police?'
II have" answered poor John, the blood leap
ing to his face. They think they know the
men that did it. daresay the money will be
recovered, if that all, ;" said he with despsr-
ate indifference, which his father down to
levity, but which sprung from the consciousness
your mothers watch, too2, asked Mr.. Mich
olson.
20. the watch is all right" cried John Sat
least, mean l was coming to the watch-the
fact is. ashamed to say II had pawned
the watch before. Here is the ticket; they
didn't find that; the watch can be redeemeda
they don't sell pledges" The lad painted OUT
these phrases, after another, like minute
guns; but at the last word. which rang in that
stately chamber like oath. his heart failed
him utterly; and the dreaded silence settled on
father and son.
1t was broken by Mr.. Nicholson picking up
the pawn ticket John Froggs, So Pleasance,"
he read: and then turning upon John with
brief fash of passion and disgust, "Who is John
Froggs?" he cried.
Nobody" said John. 81 was just a name"
'.An alias" his father commented.
20! l think scarcely quite that" said the
culprit; ''it's form they all do it, the
seemed to understand, we had great deal of
fun over the name"
He paused at that for he saw his father
vince at the picture like physically
Struck; ana again tnere was silence.
II do not think said Mr.. Nicholson, at last
''that 1 am an uneenerous father. 1 have never
grudeed you money within reason, for any
allowable purpose; you had just to to me
and speak. And now l find that you have for
gotten all deeency and al natural feeling, and
actually neutrality-suspicious. mothers watch.
You must have had some temptation. 1 will do
you the Justice to suppose it was a strong
What did you want with this money!"
81 would rather not tell you. sir" said John.
cit will only make you angry"
IxvYn not he xr,t y r,.l h:1f CAV
''There must be end of disingenuous an
swers. What did you want with this money!
''To lend it to Houston sir" says John.
Il thought 1 had forbidden you to speak to
that young man?' asked the father
eyes sir" said John; ''but only met him"
''Wherel' came the deadly question.
And I'm a bliard-room," the damning
answer. Thus. had Johns single departure
from the truth brought instant punishment
For no other purpose but to see Alan. would he
have entered q bilard-room; but he had desired
to palliate the fact of his disobedence, and now
it appeared that he frequented these disreputa-
BILE haunts upon his own account.
Once more Mr.. Nicholson dgested the vile
tidings in silence; and, when John stole glance
at his fathers countenance, he was abashed to
see the marks of suffering.
''Well," said the old gentleman, at last ssI
cannot pretend not to be simply bowed down.
rose this morning what the world calls happy
man--happy, at least, in a son of whom I
thought could be reasonably proud"
But it beyond human nature to endure
this logger. and john interrupted, almost with
a scream: ~, wneest.' ne cried, that's
all; that's not the worst of tits nothing, How
could l tell that you were proud or met o.
wish that had known; but you always said
1 was such dlsgrace. And the dreadful thing
is this: We were all taken up last night and we
have to pay Colette's fue among the six or
we'll be lad up for MISUNDERSTANDING it is
They made me swear to tell you; but for my
part" he cried, bursting into tears, 81 just wish
that was dead." And he fell on his knees be-
fore a chair and hid his face.
Whether his father spoke. and whether ne
mai mad l0p in ma mr. ar rto1
points lost to history. horrid turmoil of mind
and body: bursting scbs; broken, vanishing
thoughts. now of indignation. of remorse;
broken elementary whffs of consciousness. of
the smell of the horse hair on the chair bottom,
OF the jangling of church bells. that now began
to make day horrible throughout the confines of
the city, of the hard floor that bruised his knees,
of the taste of tears that found their way into
his mouth; for period of time, the duration of
Ion ger its agony. these were the whole of
Gods world for John Nicholson
fu.$ 49, a< III,